Car-crash millionaire finds a karaoke cure

Martha Lane Fox has opened a new London branch of her karaoke chain and says the success of the business has been crucial in helping her mentally recover from a serious car crash.

The 35-year-old entrepreneur rose to prominence as cofounder of travel website lastminute.com, before being involved in a near fatal accident in Morocco in 2004.

She had to spend more than a year in hospital, with over 23 operations.

However, a year after the crash Ms Lane Fox was well enough to launch her Tokyoinspired karaoke chain.

As she prepares to open a new Lucky Voice bar in Upper Street in Islington, following the success of branches in Soho, Manchester and Cardiff, Ms Lane Fox told the Standard the project had been a lifeline: "I can truthfully say that I really love going there - it always makes you feel better and in that way, it has helped. I can testify to this, having to do very little since the accident."